The company which owns the Financial Times is to set up its own college offering business degrees. Pearson said it aimed to recruit "the brightest and most entrepreneurial students" for the courses, which have been developed with a number of businesses.

Degrees at Pearson College, which will launch in September 2013, will be validated by Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, which are part of the University of London, the publishing and education firm said.

The new college comes amid a government move to allow more private companies to enter higher education. Pearson said its business and enterprise degree will "focus on preparing students for the world of business".

The degree will include a guaranteed internship programme and company-based mentors for students. A small number of students are due to be recruited to begin courses, which will cost £6,500 a year in tuition fees, this autumn, with the main launch next year.

• This article was amended on 14 August 2012. The original said that Pearson College courses will cost £5,500 a year rather than £6,500. This has been corrected.